Slitter-trimmer for sheet material including pivoted feed table means



Nov. 1, 1960 R. E. RENARD 2,958,248

- SLITTER-TRIMMER FOR SHEET MA IAL ms 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INCLUDING PIVOTEDFEED TABLE Filed April 1, 1957 INVENTOR. flax/W0 KIA/4K0 BY Q J Nov, 1,1960 R. E. RENARD SLITTER-TRIMMER FOR SHEET 2,958,248 MATERIAL mcwomcPIVOTED FEED TABLE MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1. 1957 Nov. 1,1960 R E RENARD 2,958,248

su'T'rER-Tmmk FOR swam MATERIAL INCLUDING PIVOTED FEED TABLE MEANS FiledApril 1, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. EMA/V0 fif/VA/PD E. RENARD2,958,243 MER FOR SHEET MATERIAL TED FEED TABLE MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4R. SLITTER-TRIM INCLUDING PIVO Nov. 1, 1960 Filed April 1, 1957 .LMHI

SLHTER-TRIMMER FOR SHEET MATERIAL IN- CLUDKNG PIVOTED FEED TABLE MEANSRoland E. Renard, Los Gatos, Califi, assignor to National CanCorporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Dela- Ware Filed Apr. 1,1957, Ser. No. 649,935

Claims. (Cl. 83-407) This invention relates to a new and improvedslittertrimmer of the type wherein sheets of tinplate or the like i areslit longitudinally and then transversely into body blanks of theprecise size for manufacture into can bodies.

in conventional slitter-trimmers, a sheet of tinplate is fed into themachine from a feeding machine, the sheets being deposited on ahorizontally disposed feed table which is denominated the firstoperation feed table. The sheets are moved by conveying meanslongitudinally of the first operation feed table and are then slit andtrimmed by the first operation rollers rotatably mounted on the firstoperation feed table into long strips and discharged from the rollersonto the second operation feed table. Conveying means on the secondoperation table move transversely to the direction of movement on thefirst operation table. At the end of the second operation table aresecond operation rollers rotatably mounted on the second operation feedtable which slit the strips into blanks of proper dimension.

Normal usage of the machine causes wear of the slitting rollers andhence it is necessary to grind or sharpen the rollers at intervals.Removal of the rollers for sharpening is unsatisfactory and hence it isnecessary to grind the rollers in place. Access to the first operationrollers for grinding and adjustment purposes is difficult unlessprovision is made for moving the parts in some manner to provide spacefor a workman to get into position in proximity to the shafts of thefirst operation rollers. The present invention relates to a constructionto accomplish that result.

The present invention is distinguishable from similar machines in thatthe first operation table is mounted for pivotal movement about ahorixontal axis transverse to the direction of movement of the sheets onsaid first operation table, which axis is spaced approximately midway rbetween the ends of the table. The first operation table may be pivotedto approximately vertical position by elevating the portion thereofproximate the first operation rollers and a clear space provided for aworkman to enter the machine for sharpening and adjustment of the firstr operation rollers. It will be understood that the first operationrollers remain stationary when the first operation table is elevated.

One principal object and advantage of the present invention is theconstruction of the machine in such manner as to provide a wider spacefor access of the mechanic during the sharpening and adjustmentoperations.

Another advantage of the invention is that very little work is requiredto prepare the machine for pivotal movement of the first operationtable. By locating the pivotal axis in the manner indicated and byproper weight distribution, the force required to lift the table isrelatively insignificant. Retiming of the machine after sharpening islikewise eliminated, thus facilitating maintenance.

It is necessary that the slitter-trimmer be located in close proximityto a sheet feeder, which sheet feeder commonly is manufactured withfeedout belts or feeder Patented Nov. 1, 1960 mechanisms extendingdownwardly toward the first operation table. Pivotal movement of thefirst operation table in accordance with this invention does not causeinterference with the feedout belts and further there is no limitationon the extent of space provided for the workman necessitated by theproximity of the feeder machine.

A further advantage of the present invention is the fact that it ispossible by the construction of this invention to shorten the distancewhich the strips must travel by inertia after they leave the firstoperation feed rolls. In conventional practice the strips are movedtransversely into position on the second operation table by the inertiaof their movement longitudinally of the first operation table andthrough the first operation rolls and extended by mechanically drivenfeed-out rolls. Shortening the distance which the-strips must travelinsures proper positioning on the second operation feed table, as wellas eliminating some of the feed-out mechanism.

Inherent in the operation of machines of this type is a considerableamount of vibration by reason of the use of feed cranks, chains and thelike. The mounting of both the first operation cutter rollers and thesecond operation cutter rollers on a rigid table overcomes theundesirable effects of the vibration of the machine.

Another advantage of the invention is the fact that the gears whichdrive the first operation cutter shaft from the second operation cuttershaft are always engaged and need not be separated, thus insuring bothproper meshing and less repair and maintenance. In other machines ofthis general type it is necessary to provide telescoping drive shafts topermit the shafts to operate while the machine is separated forsharpening, or to separate the beveled gears above referred to. Thepresent invention eliminates the necessity of such construction.

Still another feature of the invention is the increase in safety for themechanic by reason of the fact that it is not necessary to climb overmoving chains, and that greater working space is provided. In addition,there is no danger of injury to the workman or to the machine in theevent that tools are placed on the first operation table. As a matter offact, the first operation table being in vertical position eliminatesthe temptation to place tools thereon.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan of a slitter-trimmer machine constructed inaccordance with this invention with some of the parts removed for thesake of simplicity of description;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure of Fig. 1 showing the firstoperation table in solid lines in working position and in dot and dashlines in lifted position;

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the drive of the machine; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 44 of Fig. 1.

In the accompanying drawings and in the following description a numberof the parts of the slitter-trimmer have been omitted in that a fullillustration and description of the complicated mechanisms which areincorporated in such machines is unnecessary to an understanding of thepresent invention and is well understood by those skilled in the art towhich the invention pertains.

A base 11 for the machine is provided on which is mounted asubstantially rectangular main subframe 12 which supports most of theheavy parts of the machine. First operation roll mounting end plates 18are rigidly fastened to one side of subframe 12 by brackets 13,

3 14 so that plates 18 and frame 12 may be considered a unitarystructure. A horizontally projecting ledge 19 along one side forms arest for first operation table 26 when in operative position.

Spaced from subframe 12 is a pedestal 21 resting upon and mounted onbase 11. Pedestal 21 receives horizontal stub pivot shafts 22 onopposite sides of the machine which are received in bearing 23 on thesides of first operation table 26. First operation table 26 is a heavy,substantially rectangular casting which is normally horizontallydisposed and is supported by shafts 22 and by ledge 19 and is held inhorizontal position by means of bolts 27 screwed through bridging plate25 on its inner end into ledge 19. The important function of themounting of the machine which has heretofore been described is to permitthe first operation table 26 to be swung from the horizontal positionillustrated in full lines in Fig. 2 to a substantially verticalposition, as illustrated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, the stubshafts 22 acting as the pivots for such movement. The distribution ofweight of the first operation table 26 on either side of pivots 22permits lifting of the table with reduced effort. When table 26 is fullylifted, as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, weight distribution issuch that the table remains in repose in tilted position.

When thus tilted there is ample room between pedestal 21 and subframe 12to provide access for a workman to perform the grinding and adjustingoperations on the first operation rollers.

Turning now to the drive of the machine, an electric motor 31 or otherprime mover is mounted on main subframe 12, motor shaft 32 beingprovided with pulley 33 which drives shaft 34 by means of belt 36 andpulley 37. Shaft 3-4 is journalled in end bearing plates 38 and carriespinion 39 meshing with gear 41 on one end of lower roller shaft 42,which gear 41 in turn meshes with gear 43 on the end of upper rollershaft 4-4. Roller shafts 42 and 44 are journalled in second operationend bearing plates 38 extending longitudinally on opposite sides ofsecond operation feed table 46. The end of shaft 44 opposite gear 43carries a bevel gear 47 which meshes with mitre gear 48 on one end oflower first operation roller shaft 49. Shaft 49 likewise carries gear 51which meshes with gear 52 on an end of upper first operation rollershaft 53. Shafts 49 and 53 extend transversely of subframe 12 and arejournalled in end bearing plates 18.

An important feature of this invention is the rigid permanent mountingof the four principal shafts 42, 44, 49 and 53 along one end and oneside of second operation feed table 46. As has been stated, one of theobjects of the invention is to provide a construction making itunnecessary to remove shafts 49 and 53 from their permanent location.

The slitting mechanism mounted on shafts 42, 44, 49, 53 is adjustable inposition, depending on the dimensions of the blanks to be cut from thesheets of tinplate fed into the machine. Essentially there is provided aplurality of upper cutter rollers 56 on upper shaft 44 or 53 and acorresponding plurality of lower cutter rollers 57 on the lower shaft,the cutter rollers 56 and -7 being ofiset from each other to accomplisha shearing action. In addition, each cutter roller 56, 57 has associatedwith it a feed roll 58, 59 which is in engagement with the roller on themating shaft and functions to grip and feed the material as the shaftsrevolve and draw the material through cutter rollers 56-57, one feedroll 58 being preferably formed of rubber.

lvfotmted longitudinally of second operation feed table 46 is a. pair ofsecond operation feed chains 61 having spaced lugs 62. Chains 61 passover drive sprockets 63 mounted on sprocket drive shaft 64 and also overidler sprockets 66 on idler shaft 67. Drive shaft 64 is driven fromshaft 42 by means of pinion 68, idler 69 and gear 71. At the rear of themachine is a crank shaft 72 which is driven from shaft 94 by means ofsprockets 73-74 and chain 76. Shaft 94 is driven from shaft 64 by gears96 and 97. Crank shaft 72 carries a crank disk 77 bearing a crank pin 78which is attached to one end of connecting rod 79, the opposite end ofwhich is connected by means of pin 81 to crosshead 82 which reciprocateshorizontally in ways 33 on the bottom of second operation feed table 46.Crosshead 82 carries a. pair of horizontally reciprocating feed bars 84slidably mounted in slideways 86 in feed table 4.6. Feed bars 84 carrypivoted spring-biased feed fingers 87 which push strips of tinplatecarried by lugs 62 on chains 61 into feed rollers 58-59. Guide roller 83and upper and lower guide fingers 89 guide the tinplate properly intofeed rollers 58-59. Guide fingers 89 are mounted on transverse bars 96by means of bolts 98. On either side of the table adjacent the dischargeend thereof is a pair of aligning bars 91 which center the stripscentrally of the table. Adjacent the discharge end of table 46 is sheetbar 92 which is caused to move in and out on each stroke of feed bars84, as well understood in the art, bar 92 being motmted on bracket 93transversely slidably mounted on table 46. Bracket 93 is caused toreciprocate by a cam (not shown) on shaft 9 First operation feed table26 carries a transversely extending chain drive shaft 161 journalled insides 24 of feed table 2.6. Shaft 1111 is driven from one of shafts 22by pinion 99, idler 196 and gear 102. Shaft 22, in turn, is driven fromshaft 49'by sprockets 163 and 104 and chain 28. When table 26 is lifted,it is not necessary to remove chain 28 and hence re-timing of themachine is not required. Chain drive shaft 1111 carries a pair of drivesprockets 116 for first operation feed chains 117 having lugs 115. Idlersprockets 118 for chains 117 are located on adjustable shafts 119 on theintake end of first operation feed table 26. Chain shaft 101 gear 102meshes with gear 122 on countersha ft 123 which carries barrel cams (notshown) which cause sheet centering arms 126 mounted on brackets 127 tomove outwardly and then inward-1y as each sheet of tinplate enters themachine in order to center the sheet on first operation table 26.

Sheets are fed onto first operation table 26 by downwardly extendingfeed-out belts 131 which extend from a conventional sheet feeder 130, aswell understood in this art. One of the features of the machine is thefact that the slitter-trimmer can be located in close proximity to thesheet feeder and yet when first operation table 26 is tilted, there isno interference with the sheet feeder nor is it necessary to alter theposition of feed-out belts 131. Feeder 130 is driven by motor 31 and forthis purpose a stub shaft 133 projects from the end of shaft 44 throughbracket 134 and is connected to universal joint 136 and thence to shaft137 which extends rearwardly upwardly to drive feeder 130 by mechanismnot herein illustrated or described.

In normal operation of the machine, sheets are fed from the feeder oneat a time on belts 131 and deposited on first operation feed table 26 intimed sequence to the operation of the rest of the machine. The rearedge of each sheet is engaged by lugs on feed chains 117 and movedlongitudinally of first operation feed table 26. As the sheets move,they are centered on the table by outward and then inward movement ofsheet centering arms 126. The first operation feed chains 117 move thesheets until the forward edge is engaged by feed rolls 58-59 on shafts49-53 and the sheets are then slit by first operation cutter rollers56-57 into strips of exact width. The strips are deposited on secondoperation feed table 46 as they are discharged from first operation feedrollers, their travel being guided by guide fingers 132 mounted ontransverse bars 132 Feedout rolls 138 drive the strips onto table 46,one feature of this invention being that only one set of rolls 138 isrequired by reason of the mounting of shafts 49-53 in end plates t 144}rigidly connected to second operation table 46. Shafts 139 of rollers138 are driven from shaft 49 by sprockets 141142 and connecting chain143. Gears 1'44 drive one shaft 139 from the other.

One of the features of the present invention is the location of shafts49-53 relative to second operation table 46 so that the distance whichthe strips must travel is reduced. After the strips have been depositedon second operation feed table 46 after completion of the firstoperation slitting, they are picked up one at a time by one of lugs 62on second operation feed chains 61 and moved in a direction which istransverse to the direction of the original movement of sheets on firstoperation feed table 26. As the strips approach the discharge end ofsecond operation table 46, they are fed one at a time into secondoperation slitter rolls 56-57 by the reciprocation of feed fingers 87 onfeed bars 84 and slit and trimmed into blanks of the proper dimension.

When, with the passage of time, it is necessary to sharpen and adjustfirst operation cutter rollers 56-57, the mechanic removes bolts 27which secure first operation table 26 in place resting on ledge 19 andthereupon first operation table 26 can be tilted to vertical position bythe use of a jack or other lifting means. Thereupon the mechanic canenter in the space between pedestal 21 and subframe l2 and has readyaccess to first operation rollers 56-57 while shafts 49-53 continue torevolve.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it is understood that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a slitter-trimmer, a frame, a first operation slitter table onsaid frame, a second operation slitter table on said frame, meanspivotally mounting said first operation table on said frame about asubstantially horizontal axis remote from and parallel to said secondoperation table to alternately support said first operation table in anoperative, substantially horizontal position, with a portion of saidfirst operation table contiguous said second operation table and in atilted position tilted substantially vertically to provide accessbetween said first and second operation tables, first and secondoperation slitter mechanisms mounted on said second operation table, andfirst and second operation feed mechanisms mounted on said first andsecond operation tables, respectively, and drive means for driving saidslitter mechanisms and said slitter feed mechanisms, said drive meansincluding a single motor for both said slitter mechanisms and both saidslitter feed mechanisms.

2. A slitter trimmer according to claim 1 wherein said first operationdrive mechanism includes a pivot shaft concentric with the pivotalmounting of said first operation table and driving the other elements ofsaid first operation feed mechanism, and which further comprises meansfor driving said pivot shaft continuously from said second operationtable when said first operation table is in operative and in tiltedposition.

3. In a slitter-trimmer, a frame, a first operation slitter table onsaid frame, a second operation slitter table on said frame, meanspivotally mounting said first operation table on said frame about asubstantially horizontal axis remote from and parallel to said secondoperation table to alternately support said first operation table in anoperative, substantially horizontal position, with a portion of saidfirst operation table contiguous said second operation table and in atilted position tilted substantially vertically to provide accessbetween said first and second operation tables, first slitter shafts onsaid second operation table adjacent said first operation table, firstslitter rollers on said first slitter shafts; second slitter shafts onsaid second operation table transverse to said first shafts, secondslitter rollers on said second slitter shafts, first and secondoperation feed mechanisms on said first and second operation tables,respectively, second operation table drive means on said second tablefor driving said first and second slitter shafts and said secondoperation feed mechanisms, first operation table drive means on saidfirst table for driving said first operation feed mechanism, and meansfor driving said first and second operation table drive means together.

4. In a slitter-trimmer, a frame, a first operation slitter table onsaid frame, a second operation slitter table on said frame, meanspivotally mounting said first operation table on said frame about asubstantially horizontal axis remote from and parallel to said secondoperation table to alternately support said first operation table in anoperative, substantially horizontal position, with a portion of saidfirst operation table contiguous said second operation table and in atilted position tilted substantially vertically to provide accessbetween said first and second operation tables, first slitter shafts onsaid second operation table adjacent said first operation table, firstslitter rollers on said first slitter shafts, second slitter shafts onsaid second operation table transverse to said first shafts, secondslitter rollers on said second slitter shafts, first and secondoperation feed mechanisms on said first and second operation tables,respectively, second operation table drive means on said second tablefor driving said first and second slitter shafts and said secondoperation feed mechanisms, first operation table drive means on saidfirst table for driving said first operation feed mechanism, said firstoperation drive means including a pivot shaft coaxial with the pivotalmounting of said first table and arranged to drive the other elements ofsaid first operation drive means, and means for driving said pivot shaftfrom said second operation table drive means.

5. In a slitter-trimmer, a frame, a first operation slitter table onsaid frame, a second operation slitter table on said frame, meanspivotally mounting said first operation table on said frame about asubstantially horizontal axis remote from and parallel to said secondoperation table to alternately support said first operation table in anoperative, substantially horizontal position with a portion of saidfirst operation table contiguous said second operation table and in atilted position tilted substantially vertically to provide accessbetween said first and second operation tables, first slitter shafts onsaid second operation table adjacent said first operation table, firstslitter rollers on said first slitter shafts, second slitter shafts onsaid second operation table transverse to said first shafts, secondslitter rollers on said second slitter shafts, first and secondoperation feed mechanisms on said first and second operation tables,respectively, means for driving said first slitter shafts together andsaid second slitter shafts together, a drive motor, means for drivingone of said second slitter shafts from said motor, means for driving oneof said first slitter shafts from one of said second slitter shafts,means for driving said second operation feed mechanism from said motor,and means for driving said first operation feed mechanism from saidmotor.

6. In a slitter-trimmer, a frame, a first operation slitter table onsaid frame, a second operation slitter table on said frame, meanspivotally mounting said first operation table on said frame about asubstantially horizontal axis remote from and parallel to said secondoperation table to alternately support said first operation table in anoperative, substantially horizontal position, with a portion of saidfirst operation table contiguous said second operation table and in atilted position tilted substantially vertically to provide accessbetween said first and second operation tables, first slitter shafts onsaid second operation table adjacent said first operation table, firstslitter rollers on said first slitter shafts, second slitter shafts onsaid second operation table transverse to said first shafts, secondslitter rollers on said second slitter shafts, first and secondoperation feed mechanisms on said first and second operation tables,respectively, means for driving said first slitter shafts together andsaid second slitter shafts together, a drive motor, means for drivingone of said second slitter shafts from said motor, means for driving oneof said first slitter shafts from one of said second slitter shafts,means for driving said second operation feed mechanism from said motor,a pivot shaft on said first operation table coaxial with the pivotalmounting of said first table and arranged to drive said first operationfeed mechanism, and means for driving said pivot shaft from said motor.

7. In a slitter-trimmer, a frame, a first operation slitter table onsaid frame, a second operation slitter table on saidframe, meanspivotally mounting said first operation table on said frame about asubstantially horizontal axis remote from and parallel to said secondoperation table to alternately support said first operation table in anoperative, substantially horizontal position, with a portion of saidfirst operation table contiguous said second operation table and in atilted position tilted substantially vertically to provide accessbetween said first and second operation tables, first slitter shafts onsaid second operation table adjacent said first operation table, firstslitter rollers on said first slitter shafts, a second slitter shaft onsaid second operation table transverse to said first shafts, secondslitter rollers on said second slitter shafts, first and secondoperation feed mechanisms on said first and second operation tables,respectively, means for driving said first slitter shafts together andsaid second slitter shafts together, a drive motor, means for drivingone of said second slitter shafts from said motor, means for driving oneof said first slitter shafts from one of said second slitter shafts,means for driving said second operation feed mechanism from said motor,a pivot shaft on ,said first operation table coaxial with the pivotalmounting of said first table and arranged to drive said first operationfeed mechanism, and means for driving said pivot shaft from one of saidfirst slitter shafts.

8. In a slitter-trimmer, a frame, a first operation slitter table onsaid frame, a second operation slitter table on said frame, meanspivotally mounting said first operation table on said frame about asubstantially horizontal axis remote from and parallel to said secondoperation table to alternately support said first operation table in anoperative, substantially horizontal position, with a portion of saidfirst operation table contiguous said second operation table and'in atilted position tilted substantially vertically to provide accessbetween said first and second operation tables, first slitter shafts onsaid second operation table adjacent said first operation table, firstslitter rollers on said first slitter shafts, second slitter shafts onsaid second operation table transverse to said first shafts, secondslitter rollers on said second slitter shafts, first and secondoperation feed mechanisms on said first and second operation tables,respectively, means for driving 'said first slitter shafts together andsaid second slitter shafts together, a drive motor, means for drivingone of said second slitter shafts from said motor, means for driving oneof said first slitter shafts from one of said second slitter shafts,means for driving said second operation feed mechanism from one of saidsec ond slitter shafts, and means for driving said first operation feedmechanism from one of said firstslitter shafts.

9. A machine according to claim 8 in which said lastnamed means isoperative when said first table is in operative and in tilted positions.

10. In a slitter trimmer, a' frame, a first operation table on saidframe, a second operation table on said frame, said first table beingmovable relative to said second table from an operative to a remoteposition to provide access'to enable a workman to stand between saidtables for maintenance and adjustment, a pair of first slitter shafts onsaid second table adjacent said first table, means for driving saidfirst slitter shafts together, a pair of second slitter shafts on saidsecond table transverse to said first slitter shafts, means for drivingsaid second slitter shafts together, means for driving one of said firstslitter shafts and one of said second slitter shafts together, a motor,means for driving one of said slitter shafts from said motor, first andsecond feed mechanisms on said first and second tables, respectively,means for driving said feed mechanism and said second slitter shaftstogether, and means for driving said first feed mechanism and said firstslitter shafts together when said first table is in operative and inremote positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS546,623 Potter .,Sept. 17, 1895 1,160,833 Braddock Nov. 16, 19151,670,051 Slaysman May 15, 1928 1,986,769 Farley et a1. Jan. 1, 19351,996,913 Evans Apr. 9, 1935 2,029,915 Fawell Feb. 4, 1936 2,355,079Jones Aug. 8, 1944 2,665,756 Hall Jan. 12, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 314,465Germany July 6, 1918

